Q - What can a mom do to improve or facilitate her relationship with her teenage children?

Showing interest in the daughter or son is really important. Asking about their friends, things they’ve been reading, who they talk to online, things about every day life. But it’s important to remember not to nag. If they don’t reply with a direct statement, don’t keep asking the question but stop and pray for a moment about what to do next. Should you keep asking the same thing, leave the topic alone, or should you pursue a conversation about whatever it is you asked about in the first place? These are questions that should be asked on a regular basis and with the help of the Holy Spirit they will be answered in each instance. God blessed us with the Holy Spirit and it should most definitely be used within a mother/daughter or son relationship.

Q - What things hinder the relationship?

In case you weren’t personally aware, there’s somebody called Satan and he’s constantly out to steal, kill and destroy anything that is somewhat holy or righteous. So, if you get some new ground within a relationship, Satan will be trying to figure out how to damage that relationship more than it ever was. This means that you, as the mother, need to be praying for your son or daughter all the time. Satan will come in many different ways but I find that he usually tries to get to the son or daughter rather than the mother.

Basically, anything can hinder the relationship. But the solution to all things that hinder the relationship is very simple. Prayer.

Q - How do you work on building bridges?

For me, the little things in life mean a lot and I think that’s true for a lot of people. Special time spent with only Mom once felt like murder but now is one of my favorite things. Building bridges takes time–patience and perseverance–but the end result is very worth it. People take a while to change sometimes and though that may not be a bad thing, it’s easy to get discouraged and think that they will never change. But if God is in the relationship, bridges will be built and communication will be there.

Q - What can a mom do to improve or facilitate her relationship with her teenage children?

:: Spending more time with them is one of the first steps, but eventually you need to move a little more ahead. You need to be their best friend for everything. Not just every day things, but personal things, too. Yes, it’s good to know what their favorite types of clothing are…when you’re shopping for their birthday. Do you know what’s really going on in their life? How is their walk with God going? Have they been getting anything out of what they’ve been reading in the bible? How is/are their relationship(s) with their sibling(s) going? You need to know those things, too.

Q - What things hinder the relationship?

:: A teenage daughter or son can easily be persuaded by thoughts that the relationship that you’re trying to build with them isn’t really true. It’s a fake. A bluff. That you don’t really care about them that much. That you don’t really care about the relationship at all. Is that true? No. Try to show that all that you are doing to help build your relationship with them isn’t a fake. You really do care about them. You love them. A lot.

:: For some reason teenage kids always think that getting all personal and having a good relationship with their parents would be awkward. It’s something that they all think. They think it would be weird. They try to avoid all personal conversations with you, and even try to stay away from any activities that might involve anything like personal conversations. At some point they will recognize that you’re not going to give up on building that relationship with them. And at some point they will turn to you for help.

Q - How do you work on building bridges?

:: Nowadays your children are growing up thinking that they’re idiots. That they’re not smart, when really, they are. Encourage them in every subject, no matter what, even the ones that they might not be the strongest in. It will help your relationship grow, along with many other things.

:: How much time do you spend with them? How much time do you spend with them alone, just you and your kid? Something that I’ve always remembered were the times when it was just me and my mom going on a shopping trip to Massena to get a few odds ‘n ends. We would leave right after lunch and spend the whole afternoon there, just the two of us. That’s it.

:: Your children grow up thinking that you’re the mom in the family, and nothing more to them. You give them chores, have them do homework, practice if they play an instrument, sometimes have them make dinner, etc. That’s what they think of when they think of “mom.” The truth is that you’re not just that. You’re someone that’s constantly there when they need something. You’re their number one fan when their playing a sport, the one that’s cheering for them every second of the game, even if they’re not doing so well. You’re the one clapping the loudest at the recital because you love them and how wonderfully talented God made them. . .they notice it. They see you cheering and clapping for them. Keep showing that love and in return they’re going to show their love to you.

Well, that’s the topic of a new little series we’ll be hosting in this corner of the world. There will be ideas, recipes, pictures, you name it!

Growing up, we definitely loved our traditions. Now, here’s the deal: some families are more naturally into traditions than others. Some personalities love the idea of “we always do it this way!” Others, maybe not.

But here’s the thing: taking the time and effort to establish some significant traditions is a golden opportunity for you to impart to your family. The things my parents instated spoke to us about the importance of God, the worth of certain events, and our own value. Traditions aren’t just about warm fuzzies or good memories (although I don’t mind a sentimental memory now and then, for sure!). They’re another opportunity to shape your family — and that’s worth doing!

Sometimes the idea of traditions can feel very burdensome, and there certainly are some things to keep in mind:

First, traditions are meant to be a blessing. Yes, they take work and effort and all of that good stuff. Stockings don’t magically fill themselves; parents stay up till the wee hours in order to accomplish such “magic.” Leg-o-lamb doesn’t just appear on the table after the Easter service; a mother carefully planned and prepped and timed that event! BUT if you’re continually frustrated or burned out feeling like you have to keep up with some Universal Tradition, well, reevaluate!

Second, choose traditions that you think are realistic. Mom was always careful of what she did once, because that’s all it took for us to think we should do it every year (or every birthday, or whatever.) Well, for instance, birthdays: Mom and Dad established a pattern of “big” parties at our 5th, 10th, 13th, and 16th birthdays, as opposed to every year. They were thinking ahead, for sure. I mean, can you imagine nine huge birthday parties every year? Throw in a few holidays here and there, and you’ve got a burned out Mama!!

Third, choose traditions that have meaning. Get bang for your buck! Simple things, though, can communicate a world of importance. Lighting candles and reading the Christmas Story on Christmas Eve: does it get any easier, cheaper, or more special than that?

Lastly, remember that you’re not a slave to traditions. Life happens, seasons change, and sometimes even with your best effort, the fancy party food has to go. We’ve been known to have Christmas dinner the day after… or even the week after! Those are the moments when you get to remind everyone that traditions are just a way of remembering what truly matters!

Hopefully we’ll all be encouraged and inspired as this little series unfolds. If you tend to poo-poo traditions, I hope we’ll be able to share some of the value they’ve had in our families. If you’re not from a background of sound family traditions, maybe you’ll find the starting blocks to establish such things in your own family.

Most of all, I hope we’re all challenged to work hard to instill the important things in our children’s hearts, and in the fabric of our family. Whether they’re the daily traditions or yearly traditions, tangible reminders of what truly matters are worth our effort.

Therefore let me remind you once again, especially since we ourselves have been effected so negatively by this ill culture:
you have been hand-created by Him, the maker of the universe. He specifically designed you. He knows you intimately — every detail, nothing has escaped Him. He loves You infinitely, so much so that He denied Himself, came to earth, suffered and died. And that same love by which He has so perfectly loved You, made You, and sanctified You has been abundantly bestowed upon each and every one of your children.

He is theirs and they are His. Wonderful, exquisite, perfect love. Hope-giving words. This is Truth and Love revealed.

We must love Him. We must love ourselves. We must love them.

If you know His love and have thoroughly embraced how much He loves you; if you know the delight of resting in His arms, feeling His love for you permeate your being; if you regularly clamber upon His lap to find comfort and safety then you will know His love for them. We love Him because He first loved us. If we have not accepted that love, we are hindered in our ability to give that love.

Read His word and choose to trust it. Cry out to Him for help in your unbelief. Remember the man that did that? He said, “Jesus you know that I believe. Help thou my unbelief!” We need Him for everything, even faith to believe. And the scripture says we have not because we ask not! Knowing His love is critical — so start asking if you need help to believe this essential, hope-filled truth. Your success depends upon it, your children depend upon it, your husband and friends depend upon it. Without receiving His love, we have none to give. So go to Him right now and receive it!

Children are an absolute blessing from Him. The sooner we recognize that fact and truly believe it, the sooner we will be able to impart such wonderful knowledge to them! How different they will be from the world’s children who have lost all sight of their Maker. And how freely and powerfully they will share the Good News with their generation!

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deut. 6.4-7 NKJV

1. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” You must have your own spiritual life: deep, sincere, real, and vital. We cannot fake this. If you want your children to be zealous, you must be. A fire isn’t passed on from a smoking coal. The wind needs to blow and kindle a fresh flame. Get on your face and seek Him if there is no fire in you to pass on to them. Your walk with Him must be real; what they experience will be the overflow.

2. “You shall teach them diligently to your children…” With constant effort and attention, we are to instruct our children in His ways. This will not accomplished through haphazard attempts but through a systematic and thorough approach. His words need to penetrate their hearts, effect their actions and thoughts, and mold their worldview. Memorization, study, explanation, and practiced applications are all necessary components. We must be consistent and intentional, with great perseverance investing in this effort.

3. “…and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” This speaks of a more informal approach, which is also needed. Spontaneous moments of teaching; sharing words of wisdom pertinent to the situation at hand; talking with them about what God has been teaching you personally; hearing from them about their recent discoveries and experiences; helping them relate their life happenings to the Word of God and finding the applicable wisdom — this is the stuff of walking together, living life together, learning from one another. And as seen in our text, it is non-stop. From sunup to sundown, His truth should be emanating from our actions, thoughts, and words, transmitting life-giving principles upon which they might build their lives. That includes the truth of repentance and forgiveness, which, if you are like me, they will have ample opportunity to see practiced before their very eyes. My children do know this: where to turn when sin has captured you. They have witnessed Mom, time and again, find grace and mercy from Him.

4. “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Let your actions reflect the Word, let your mind meditate upon them, let your eyes take in His words and focus on truth alone.

If we love our children we will provide them with the truth essential to successful living. Successful living is, of course, accomplishing His purposes, not our own. Because His purposes are so much higher, they must learn to walk in His ways. We could want nothing less for those we love.

Mom’s been writing her thoughts on this over in the Titus 2 corner. And what great, impacting thoughts. And how totally contrary to what we learn from the culture around us. Love children? Value them? Speak well of them? Nurture them? Sacrifice for them? Do anything other than endure them?

No, loving children is not the popular message. All the way from Roe vs. Wade, to the casual complaints heard towards the end of August when moms are wishing those yellow buses would come give them their deserved break from the little tyrants, there’s a message we hear loud and clear: It’s all about you, and certainly not about them.

That’s not the Bible’s message. At all.

For some, loving children seems to be one of those natural talents. Babies settle in their arms, kids flock to them, they are the most sought-after babysitters. For others of us (like me!), sitting in a nursery of toddlers for over an hour can be a totally overwhelming proposition. I’m not good with kids! Trust me, I’ve had the thought, too.

But regardless of your natural abilities to charm people of 3-ft stature, we must all learn to love children.

Given how much we have going against us culturally, certainly the best time to start learning that is now, whether you’re a teenager, single adult, or have four children already! And certainly the best way to start learning that is to simply start loving the children you encounter.

No one gets off the hook with a cold, aloof, (half-scared, come on, admit it), “Uh, kids just aren’t my thing.” And as the Word of God seeps into our hearts, transforming the way we think about people in general, we’ll be amazed by how suddenly, these running, falling, tripping, laughing, runny-nosed kids look like seeds of promise. Like destiny waiting for investment. Like an entire future of potential that you could possibly help to bring about.

How? By speaking to them as though they’re people. By telling their mother how blessed she is. By freely giving a gentle touch as they pass by. By counting them worthy of your sacrifice of time (because they are.) By telling them, and reminding yourself, that God made them.

I know, personally, that as I let truth wash over me as a young single woman, I was amazed by how shallow my love for children had been — and how life-changingly deep God wanted it to become. I never became a natural at doing nursery, but I knew it was a privilege. Babysitting, to this day, makes me a tad nervous, but there are few other opportunities that excite me to the possibility of being used by the Holy Spirit. Some days, after meditating on the blessing of children, I find my heart ready to burst into tears at the playground as I watch so many babies and toddlers and young children running and playing, and — and do they know the Lord? Because they need to!

I guess what I most want to communicate is that sometimes we need to be willing to learn to love children. (And if an older woman is supposed to teach us, then obviously we’re supposed to be learning.) You know how God loves the whole world, but He also loves you? Well, I think that’s what God wants us to learn about loving children. It’s wonderful to be moved by the idea of helping children the world over, but He also wants me to love the toddler at church whose behavior is a little…well. He wants me to “go out of my way to cherish every person I encounter, and to be the strongest voice of enthusiasm to every newly-pregnant mom I meet — regardless of how many they already have, how young their previous is, and how much their husband brings home.” (I wrote a bit about this theme last year: being pro-life starts with valuing life.)

Certainly we’ve all heard stories about how a life was forever impacted by one woman’s kindness. I want to be used by God as that woman. I want to stand out in a baby-killing, family-hating, child-despising world as a minister of love and life. And I don’t want to just be a bit better; I want to have the heart of God.

1. She saw Moses’ beauty. Not casually, but deeply. She truly saw and understood his beauty.
2. Faith in her God caused her to be bold, acting without fear, on Moses’ behalf.

Today we will consider how and what she did with the opportunity provided to her. Let’s look at the story once again.

And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.

Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. And when she had opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the maiden went and called the child’s mother. Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.” Exodus 2.1-10 NKJV

Wow! Can you imagine? She puts him in hiding until she could do so no longer, then sets him on the river. What was she thinking? How long could that have worked? I doubt if she thought it was perfect, but it was an effort. At least she didn’t give up altogether and let the soldiers take him. It was the best she could do. God did the rest. Let’s remember that. It is significant. We do not have to provide all the protection, all the deliverance, all the care. We build a basket, place him in it, hide it, doing the best we can to shield him from his enemy — He does the rest.

Just look at what He does! God plunders the enemy — pharaoh’s money pays Jochobed’s wages! Not only is she able to continue nursing him and caring for him with the pharaoh’s protection, but she gets paid for it! Not a bad deal — sort of.

There is initially great joy at this beautiful boy’s safekeeping. But cold reality soon sets in. She must nurse him, care for him, then give him up to her enemy. How can she do this? What must she do to prepare him? What must she do to prepare herself?

Jochobed gains my deepest admiration at this point. Oh, she’s been good up ’til now, no doubt. A real winner already. But now it gets really tough — and she proves to be up to the task.

Put yourself in her position. Many women would make this decision: “I will provide physical sustenance, but I will not get emotionally close to this baby. That will hurt too much. After all, I will be giving him over to her in just a few short years. It will be easier for me if I remain detached. I will keep my distance.”

Did you catch those words “it will be easier for me…?” Those words are destroyers, not builders. Those words usher in compromise, not excellence. Those words allow harm instead of protection. Don’t let those words dictate your actions — ever. Jochobed did not. How do I know? Consider the following.

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.

By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:23-27 NKJV

As a child, Moses was sent to Pharaoh’s house when he was probably 4-6 years (that was the typical age for weaning a child in that culture.) Yet we see that as a man he was well established in knowledge of who his God was, who his people were, where his allegiance should lie.

How was this accomplished? Jochobed had a limited window of opportunity. And believe it or not, so do we. We must win their hearts, earn their trust, establish their allegiance to God at an early age if possible.

Imagine Jochobed’s choices: either remain emotionally aloof for her own sake or pour everything she had into him for God’s purposes. It seems she chose the latter, not withholding love but investing great care, taking every opportunity afforded her. She prayed over him while she nursed him, stories of God’s great faithfulness were told while she changed him, words of his own destiny as an Israelite were shared while she stirred the stew with him playing at her feet. She knit her heart to his, consequently knitting the heart of her son to her very own God. She wisely stewarded this precious life which God had granted into her keeping for a few short years, regardless of the pain which she would soon know.

She is to me a wonderful hero.

My heart swells with painful emotion just imagining that fateful day when she would escort him to Pharaoh’s courts. Was she silent as they walked? Perhaps. Most everything had been said over and over again in preparation for this eventful day. Now she was considering what words of farewell should be spoken — she wanted to carefully choose those precious words that would forever remain as her parting thoughts to this beautiful son.

At last they arrived. Looking long at Pharaoh’s daughter, she gives a sober nod of acknowledgment. The time has come. She knew it would, had hoped that somehow it wouldn’t. But it has. Turning to him, this boy of hers, she tenderly gives him that final and meaningful embrace, whispering into his ear a few carefully crafted words — one crowning reminder of her love and more importantly, God’s love. She hopes these parting phrases will forever resonate in his being. As she releases him, she smiles bravely at Pharaoh’s daughter, thanking her for the opportunity to serve her. Giving her son one more assuring glance, she turns and leaves him forever. Because of her deep love for him and his needs, she refrains from looking back, hoping to lend her strength to him one last time. Now the tears well up as she courageously walks away. When alone at last, the floodgates of emotion are released. This pain will last a lifetime.

…..

Whew. My heart. Oh, my heart. But her job had been done faithfully. God would use all those words, stories, kisses, embraces. God would faithfully recall every whispered prayer. God would remember the destiny He had planned for this young man who had been saved from his enemy so that such destiny could be fulfilled.

This is the kind of sacrifice every mother must perform, for every child is endowed with great destiny — greater than you or I can imagine. We have been granted the privilege of protecting and nurturing that destiny. It’s also true that every child has an enemy, God’s enemy. We must open our eyes and see the danger. The Word must be studied, ingested, allowed to birth faith so that we don’t respond in fear or selfishness, but with boldness in the face of that enemy.

God Himself will assist us. He will take our efforts and complete His work. But our portion is to see, believe, and respond unselfishly, motivated by love for Him and belief in His great love for them.

This is no small task, but who wants to live for insignificance anyways.

I’ll choose to follow in Jochobed’s footsteps, crying out to God for children who are leaders in the midst of an unGodly generation. I’ll open my eyes to recognize their beauty, their eternal destiny. In bold faith I will endeavor to practice creative means of protection from destruction before their time of maturity has come. I will speak life-filled words into their hearts, invest my love, pray faithfully. In due season I will release them to fulfill God’s continued unique plan. No matter the cost. Regardless of pain. His way is my desire and therein lies my deepest joy.

I can give them nothing better than a knowledge of His love, His plan, His desire.

May all who are called to such endeavor find prosperity. May His Hand of provision and guidance be found. And may your children grow into maturity, serving His purposes for their lives. Amen.

We saw last time that Jochobed had eyes of faith that enabled her to see her child as God sees. She recognized his beauty — truly saw his beauty — because of faith (which, not seeing, believes, not seeing, hopes) and because she understood God’s hand in His creation. God makes good things, He endows His creation with purpose and destiny, and He stamps His own image on each and every person. What could be more precious, more beautiful? And Jochobed recognized all these things. She had learned wisdom in the midst of a foolish and unGodly generation, determining to flee from falsehood and deception.

My friends, how desperately we need to follow her example. All around us lies are whispered in our ears, conveyed in our entertainment, shouted from our platforms. Abortion would lead us to believe there is nothing special and unique about the creation of a child. Euthanasia tells us there is no value in a certain quality of life. Abandonment and abuse underscore a lack of understanding that each individual is hand-crafted by the Master craftsman, precious gifts from Him.

So what does one do once this realization comes? What did Jochobed do?

First we see from our text that she and her husband walked in faith toward God, obeying Him and not fearing the king. Their confidence in Him emboldened them. They were not afraid! When we grasp these truths about our children, we gain confidence — confidence to act boldly and confidence to impart to them. We become free to pursue God’s best for them, not considering our needs above theirs nor our ideas about them above His, but recognizing our call to steward His creation so that His plan for each one of them might be fulfilled.

Must we know God’s plan ahead of time? No. No prophetic word, no angelic visitation, no dream is mentioned. Jochobed simply knew that Moses was God’s creation. She knew that he was beautiful. We can know that about our children, too. We can know that about each child. And with that knowledge comes faith to act boldly.

When we cling to such wonderful truth, casually spoken words bearing negative implications from well-meaning but faithless specialists and doctors will not leave us undone. We know whom we have believed.

When we truly acknowledge such precious promise, we speak words of confidence to our children and they grow up with a knowledge of His great love and purpose in their lives. We know He has spoken words of a hope and a future over their lives.

When we believe deep within our hearts, when this awareness has penetrated our very souls, we will understand our need to nurture and protect this precious heritage of God. We know how special they are to Him — and we see our part in His plan for their lives.

Embrace such knowledge, immerse yourself in the Word: study Psalm 139, Joshua 1.5, Ephesians 2.10 for starts. Let these words fill you with confidence for your children’s futures. They are truly in His hands, formed by Him for good things, full of promise.

Loving children. That seems natural enough, doesn’t it? Then why does Paul seem to think women need to be admonished or trained (as the NIV puts it) to do so? Perhaps it’s not as automatic as we would like to think. Perhaps it requires choosing — purposeful choosing. And maybe, just maybe, there is a measure of self-control involved. Possibly even self-sacrifice. Let’s begin our exploration where I started so many years ago as I endeavored to learn what Paul meant in his Titus 2 mandate. Let’s look at my favorite Bible woman, Jochobed.

And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.

Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. And when she had opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the maiden went and called the child’s mother. Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.” Exodus 2.1-10 NKJV

Amram (the Levite in our story) married Jochobed (the Levite woman) in the midst of a wayward generation, surrounded by unfaithful people who had ceased to fear the Lord. (Joshua 24.14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.”) On top of that, they suffered slavery, bondage to a cruel Pharaoh. When I comprehended Jochobed’s situation, I discovered I related to her. I, too, lived in the midst of a wayward generation who no longer loved and feared God but were enslaved to Satan, the cruelest of masters. We were in the same boat — living in these circumstances as wife and mother. I liked her already.

I knew the outcome of her life: in spite of such incredible adversity she and Amram raised up three children who walked in faith and functioned in leadership as prophet, priest, and prophetess. Now she had my attention. I figured I just might learn a thing or two from this woman. What a woman she proved to be.

How did she do this? What was her part? What would be my correlating part?

Psalm 144.11-12 became my starting point. What does a righteous mother do in the midst of an unGodly nation and culture? She begins by crying out to God.

Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, Whose mouth speaks lying words, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood–
That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; That our daughters may be as pillars, Sculptured in palace style…

“Oh, that we would be freed from the deception all around, rightly discerning the enemy’s lies! Oh, that our children would be different from the rest!” This is a righteous mother’s cry. She desires sons who are mature beyond their years and able to produce; daughters who are strong and beautiful, ready to bear much weight. She understood that it began with her discernment — rescue me, deliver me. First she had to gain understanding of truth, discarding the falsehoods all around her.

In our original text we see that she understood some fundamental truths about God and His creation. “And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months.” Why does the scripture point out that she saw that he was a beautiful child? Doesn’t every mother think that? Do you believe a mother who says to you, “Oh, my Johnny is incredible!” Or do you assume that he may be no more special than your Johnny?

Of course she saw that he was beautiful! What’s the big deal?

1. Jochobed came to this conclusion apart from outward signs. There was no angelic visitation accompanying this birth, no prophet bringing a special word, no Hollywood music score swelling dramatically. Just a baby.
2. She saw what every mother can see if they look with eyes of faith.
3. Perhaps every mother sees the beauty, but if that is so, why wasn’t the river full of other “baby boats”? Did they truly see and know that their baby boy was beautiful? In whose eyes was this beauty beheld — only theirs, or God’s as well?
4. According to the scriptures, we are all beautiful, made in His image, unique and precious. Every one of us. (Psalm 139)

UnGodly cultures don’t comprehend such truth; deception and lies abound. But Jochobed had prayed for Godly wisdom. She had sought eyes to see truth, deliverance from wicked falsehoods. She was granted her petition. She understood that this child was beautiful, not only to her, but to God Himself.

That is the beginning of true love for children — understanding His great love for them. He personally creates them, carefully forming them in the womb. Every day is planned. They are full of purpose and destiny that only He knows. And He loves them, passionately.

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world;
Red and yellow, black and white,
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Today I challenge you to look at your children, at your neighbor’s children, at the children in your church, and see what He sees. They are beautiful. He intends good things for every one of them. But until we are convinced of that — absolutely positively persuaded — we will not see anything worth sacrificing for.

Next time we will see what kind of sacrifice such beauty demands.